AIS Data for Recreational Sailors

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a technology that enables communication at sea. It works by using transponders installed on vessels. The vessels transmit and receive data automatically. Transponders on board a ship send automatically to other ships and shore authorities information such as the ship’s name, position, course, and speed. The broadcasts are made […]

Crowdsourcing AIS Data

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a technology for tracking ships, identifying them, and locating their movement in the maritime domain. Every ship that has AIS gives out information regarding its identification, course, speed, and position. It is like a digital name tag for ships. Such information is being transmitted continuously to nearby ships, land […]

AIS Data in Maritime Archaeology

AIS serves as a monitoring tool for marine vessels within traffic services (VTS). Ships are equipped with transceivers that regularly send information to satellite- and land-based receiver systems. The details transmitted include the vessel’s unique ID, position, heading, speed, and some other information about the navigation. Initially designed for safety and collision avoidance, AIS information […]

The Impact of 5G on AIS Systems

How 5G Will Improve the Signal Transfers of the AIS The main issue with current AIS systems is interference and congestion due to the density of signals, particularly in busy maritime zones. 5G is intended to overcome these issues with its high frequency and low latency attributes. This ensures that the vessels can enjoy a […]

AIS Data Analysis Tools and Techniques

Tools for Analyzing AIS Data MarineTraffic provides monitoring, allowing users to see live updates of vessel positions. This capability is important for maintaining situational awareness and preventing collisions. MarineTraffic offers historical data retrieval, which is beneficial for analyzing past vessel movements and detecting patterns. The platform includes an analytics dashboard that visualizes vessel traffic, port […]

Building a DIY AIS Receiver

Necessary Components for Your DIY AIS Receiver A VHF antenna’s main function is to capture the AIS signals transmitted by nearby ships. These antennas are designed to operate within the Very High-Frequency range, specifically around 162 MHz, which is the frequency AIS operates on. Selecting a marine VHF antenna is vital because they are optimized […]

AIS and the Internet of Things (IoT)

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a tracking system used on ships and by vessel traffic services (VTS) for identifying and locating vessels. AIS works through transceivers installed on ships that transmit data like vessel name, position, speed, course, and destination. This information helps in preventing collisions, improving navigation, and supporting search and rescue operations. […]

Navigating Dense Shipping Lanes with AIS

Gathering AIS Data AIS systems use VHF radio signals to transmit information between vessels and shore stations. Ensuring that AIS equipment is correctly maintained involves regular checks and updates to transponders, antennas, and other related hardware to keep the system in peak operating condition. Proper positioning of high-quality VHF antennas on the vessel is importantl. […]

Other Applications of AIS

AIS was developed to prevent ship collisions and enhance navigation safety. It works using transceivers on ships and extends to satellite systems to provide a comprehensive view of navigation. Ships equipped with AIS transmit vital information, which is received and displayed on monitoring systems. This data aids in traffic management, search and rescue operations, and […]

The Economic Impact of AIS on Maritime Operations

Boosting Efficiency in Maritime Routes Before the advent of AIS, ship captains, and navigational officers relied heavily on traditional methods such as radar contact and manual plotting for route planning. These methods often could not account for sudden changes in maritime conditions or traffic scenarios. AIS changes this dynamic by providing continuous data regarding the […]